presently; and then break into his son-in-law's horse wear a cloak, when honester men than take him away, I say, and strike off his head thou go in their hose and doublets. Dick. And work in their shirt too; as my-house, Sir James Cromer, and strike off his self, for example, that am a butcher. Say. You men of Kent,- Dick. What say you of Kent? [mala gens. never. When have I aught exacted at your hands, Unless you be possess'd with devilish spirits, Those that I never saw, and struck them dead. Dick. Why dost thou quiver, man? head, and bring them both upon two poles All. It shall be done. [hither. Say. Ah, countrymen! if when you make your prayers, God should be so obdurate as yourselves, Çade. Away with him! and do as I command ye. [Exeunt some, with Lord Say. The proudest peer in the realm shall not wear a head on his shoulders, unless he pay me tribute; there shall not a maid be married, but she shall pay to me her maidenhead, ere they have it: men shall hold of me in capite; and we charge and command, that their wives be as free as heart can wish, or tongue can tell. Dick. My lord, when shall we go to Cheapside, and take up commodities upon our bills? Cade. Marry, presently. All. O, brave! Re-enter Rebels, with the heads of Lord Say and his Son-in-law. Cade. But is not this braver? Let them kiss one another, for they loved well when they were alive. Now part them again, lest they consult about the giving up of some more towns in France. Soldiers, defer the spoil of the city until night: for with these borne before us, instead of maces, will we ride through the streets; and at every corner have them kiss. Away! [Exeunt. SCENE VIII. Southwark. Alarum. Enter Cade, and all his Rabblement. Cade. Up Fish Street! down St. Magnus corner! kill and knock down! throw them into Thames !-[A parley sounded, then a retreat.] What noise is this I hear? Dare any be so bold to sound retreat or parley, when I command them kill? Enter Buckingham, and Old Clifford, with forces. Buck. Ay, here they be that dare, and will disturb thee. (king Know, Cade, we come ambassadors from the Unto the commons whom thou hast misled; [most? And here pronounce free pardon to them all, Say. Tell me, wherein have I offended That will forsake thee, and go home in peace. Have I affected wealth, or honour? speak. Clif. What say ye, countrymen? will ye Are my chests fill'd up with extorted gold? relent, Is my apparel sumptuous to behold? And yield to mercy, whilst 'tis offer'd you; Whom have I injur'd, that ye seek my death? Or let a rable lead you to your deaths? [don, These hands are free from guiltless blood- Who loves the king, and will embrace his parshedding, [thoughts. Fling up his cap, and say God save his majesty! This breast from harbouring foul deceitful Who hateth him, and honours not his father, O, let me live. Henry the fifth, that made all France to quake, Shake he his weapon at us, and pass by. Cade. [Aside.] I feel remorse in myself with his words; but I'll bridle it: he shall die, an it be but for pleading so well for his life. Away with him! he has a familiar under his tongue; he speaks not o' God's name. Go, All. God save the king! God save the king! Cade. What, Buckingham, and Clifford, are ye so brave? And you, base peasants, do ve believe him? will you needs be hanged with majesty ! K. Hen. Why, Buckingham, is the traitor Or is he but retir'd to make him strong? Enter, below, a number of Cade's followers, with halters about their necks. your pardons about your necks? Hath my But I was made a king, at nine months old : sword therefore broke through London Gates, Was never subject long'd to be a king, that you should leave me at the White Hart As I do long and wish to be a subject. in Southwark? I thought ye would never Enter Buckingham and Old Clifford. have given out these arms, till you had re- Buck. Health, and glad tidings, to your covered your ancient freedom: but you are all [Cade surpris'd? recreants and dastards, and delight to live in slavery to the nobility. Let them break your backs with burdens, take your houses over your heads, ravish your wives and daughters before your faces: for me, I will make shift for one; and so, God's curse light upon you all. All. We'll follow Cade, we'll follow Cade! Clif. Is Cade the son of Henry the fifth, That thus you do exclaim, you'll go with him? Will he conduct you through the heart of France, And make the meanest of you earls and dukes? [you? Clif. He's fled, my lord, and all his powers And humbly thus, with halters on their necks, lasting gates, To entertain my vows of thanks and praise! Soldiers, this day have you redeem'd your lives, [and country: And show'd how well you love your prince Continue still in this so good a mind, And Henry, though he be infortunate, [quished, Assure yourselves, will never be unkind : The fearful French, whom you late van- And so, with thanks, and pardon to you all, Should make a start o'er seas, and vanquish I do dismiss you to your several countries. Methinks already in this civil broil, I see them lording it in London streets, Crying-"Villiago!" unto all they meet. Better ten thousand base-born Cades miscarry, Than you should stoop unto a Frenchman's [lost; To France, to France, and get what you have Spare England, for it is your native coast: Henry hath money, you are strong and manly; God on our side, doubt not of victory. mercy. All. A Clifford a Clifford! we'll follow the king, and Clifford. All. God save the king! God save the king! Mess. Please it your grace to be advertised, pirate : [pers'd; Cade. [Aside.] Was ever feather so lightly Like to a ship, that, having 'scap'd a tempest, blown to and fro, as this multitude? the name Is straightway calm'd, and boarded with a of Henry the fifth hales them to a hundred mischiefs, and makes them leave me desolate. But now is Cade driven back, his men disI see them lay their heads together, to surprise And now is York in arms to second him. me: my sword make way for me, for here is I pray thee, Buckingham, go and meet him; no staying. In despite of the devils and hell, And ask him what's the reason of these arms? have through the very midst of you! and Tell him, I'll send duke Edmund to the Tower; heavens and honour be witness, that no want And, Somerset, we will commit thee thither, of resolution in me, but only my followers' Until his army be dismiss'd from him. base and ignominious treasons, makes me be- Som. My lord, take me to my heels.. [Exit. Buck. What, is he fled? go some, and follow him; And he that brings his head unto the king SCENE IX.-Castle. I'll yield myself to prison willingly; K. Hen. In any case be not too rough in deal, As all things shall redound unto you good. Trumpets sounded. Enter King Henry, Queen For yet may England curse my wretched reign. Margaret, and Somerset, on the terrace of the Castle. [throne, K. Hen. Was ever king that joy'd an earthly And could command no more content than I?] No sooner was I crept out of my cradle, [Exeunt. SCENE X.-Kent. Iden's Garden. Enter Cade. Cade. Fie on ambition! fie on myself, that have a sword, and yet am ready to famish! turn the edge or cut not out the burly-boned These five days have I hid me in these woods; clown in chiens of beef ere thou sleep in thy and durst not peep out, for all the country is sheath, I beseech Jove on my knees, thou laid for me; but now I am so hungry, that if mayst be turned to hobnails. [They fight; I might have a lease of my life for a thousand Cade falls.] O, I am slain! Famine, and years, I could stay no longer. Wherefore, on no other, hath slain me: let ten thousand a brick wall have I climbed into this garden, devils come against me, and give me but the to see if I can eat grass, or pick a sallet another ten meals I have lost, and I'll defy them all. while, which is not amiss to cool a man's Wither, garden; and be henceforth a buryingstomach this hot weather. And I think this place to all that do dwell in this house, because word "sallet" was born to do me good: for the unconquered soul of Cade is fled. many a time, but for a sallet, my brain-pan had been cleft with a brown bill; and many a time, when I have been dry, and bravely marching, it hath served me instead of a quart-pot to drink in; and now the word sallet must serve me to feed on. Enter Iden with Servants behind. And may enjoy such quiet walks as these? thou be, I know thee not; why, then, should I betray Iden. Ist Cade that I have slain, that mon strous traitor? Sword, I will hallow thee for this thy deed, Cade. Iden, farewell; and be proud of thy ACT V. And, like a thief, to come to rob my grounds, SCENE I.-Kent. Fields between Dartford more. and Blackheath. The King's Camp on one side: on the other, enter York attended, with drum and colours; his forces at some distance. York. From Ireland thus comes York, to claim his right, And pluck the crown from feeble Henry's head: To entertain great England's lawful king. Cade. Brave thee! ay, by the best blood that ever was broached, and beard thee too. Look on me well: I have eat no meat these five days yet, come thou and thy five men, and if I do not leave you all as dead as a door-nail, I pray God I may never eat grass [land stands, Iden. Nay, it shall ne'er be said, while EngThat Alexander Iden, an esquire of Kent, Took odds to combat a poor famish'd man. Oppose thy steadfast-gazing eyes to mine, See if thou canst out-face me with thy looks: Let them obey, that know not how to rule; Set limb to limb, and thou art far the lesser;This hand was made to handle nought but Thy hand is but a finger to my fist; I cannot give due action to my words, [gold: Thy leg a stick, compared with this truncheon; Except a sword, or sceptre, balance it : My foot shall fight with all the strength thou A sceptre shall it have,-have I a soul,-And if mine arm be heaved in the air, [hast; On which I'll toss the flower-de-luce of France. Thy grave is digg'd already in the earth. Enter Buckingham. As for more words, whose greatness answers words, Let this my sword report what speech forbears. Cade. By my valour, the most complete champion that ever I heard. Steel, if thou [Aside.] Whom have we here? Buckingham, thee well. York. Humphrey of Buckingham, I accept O, let me view his visage, being dead, thy greeting. Art thou a messenger, or come of pleasure? Buck. A messenger from Henry, our dread liege, To know the reason of these arms in peace; Or why thou,-being a subject as I am,-Against thy oath and true allegiance sworn, Shouldst raise so great a power without his leave, Or dare to bring thy force so near the court. York. [Aside.] Scarce can I speak, my choler is so great : O, I could hew up rocks, and fight with flint, On sheep or oven could I spend my fury! Buck. That is too much presumption on York. Upon thine honour, is he prisoner? Soldiers, I thank you all; disperse yourselves; K. Hen. Buckingham, doth York intend no harm to us, That living wrought me such exceeding trouble. [him? Tell me, my friend, art thou the man that slew Iden. I was, an't like your majesty. K. Hen. How art thou call'd? and what is thy degree? Iden. Alexander Iden, that's my name; He was created knight for his good service. We give thee for reward a thousand marks; K. Hen. See, Buckingham! Somerset comes with the queen: Go, bid her hide him quickly from the duke. Enter Queen Margaret and Somerset. Q. Mar. For thousand Yorks he shall not hide his head, But boldly stand, and front him to his face. And let thy tongue be equal with thy heart. Whose smile and frown, like to Achilles' spear, York, Of capital treason 'gainst the king and crown · Obey, audacious traitor; kneel for grace. York. Would'st have me kneel? first let me ask of these, That thus he marcheth with thee arm in arm? thou dost bring? York. To heave the traitor Somerset from And fight against that monstrous rebel, Cade, Who since I heard to be discomfited. Enter Iden, with Cade's head. ment. Q. Mar. Call hither Clifford ; bid him come amain, To say, if that the bastard boys of York Outcast of Naples, England's bloody scourge! What, wilt thou on thy death-bed play the The sons of York, thy betters in their birth, ruffian, Shall be their father's bail; and bane to those And seek for sorrow with thy spectacles?- Enter Edward and Richard Plantagenet, with If it be banish'd from the frosty head, See where they come: I'll warrant they'll York. I thank thee, Clifford: say, what Nay, do not fright us with an angry look: Sal. My lord, I have consider'd with myself unto me? Sal. I have. Clif. This is my king, York, I do not mistake [do:But thou mistak'st me much, to think I To Bedlam with him! is the man grown mad? K. Hen. Ay, Clifford; a Bedlam and am-But greater sin to keep a sinful oath. bitious humour Makes him oppose himself against his king. Q. Mar. He is arrested, but will not obey; His sons, he says, shall give their words for him. York. Will you not, sons? [here! Clif. Why, what a brood of traitors have we Clif. Are these thy bears? we'll bait thy And manacle the bear-ward in their chains, [for such an oath? K. Hen. Canst thou dispense with heaven Sal. It is a great sin to swear unto a sin; Who can be bound by any solemn vow I York. Call Buckingham, and all the friends am resoiv'd for death, or dignity. [thou hast; Clif. The first I warrant thee, if dreams prove true. War. You were best to go to bed and dream The rampant bear chain'd to the ragged staff, Clif. And from thy burgonet I'll rend thy And tread it under-foot with all contempt, Y. Clif. And so to arms, victorious father, For you shall sup with Jesu Christ to-night. thou canst tell. Rich. If not in heaven, you'll surely sup in |